Hawks Continue Filling Out Training Camp Roster

Thursday, September 19, 2013

By Robby Kalland

Danny Ferry and the Hawks front office have been busy at work filling out the training camp roster. Earlier this month, the Hawks added David Lighty and Eric Dawson to their list of training camp invitees, and this week it was announced that Damien Wilkins and Royal Ivey, both former Hawks, have also accepted training camp invites.

Lighty, a former Ohio State Buckeye, went undrafted in 2011 before playing the past two years in Italy and then France. The 6’6″ swingman has the ability to play the two or the three, and is a solid defender and three point shooter. Lighty played on the Sacramento Kings’ Summer League team, and scored 16 points on 8-of-9 shooting in the Kings final game in Las Vegas, which came against the Hawks. Lighty’s ability to play multiple positions and his three-point shooting (he shot 40% from three as a junior at Ohio State) make him an intriguing possibility. Lighty is known as a high character player and a hard worker, which fit the mold of the type of players that Ferry and coach Mike Budenholzer look for as rotational players.

Eric Dawson is a 6’9″ power forward that played for the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League (San Antonio affiliate) from 2007-2012, and also played on two 10-day contracts with the San Antonio Spurs. Last year, Dawson played in the Philippines and the Dominican Republic. In 2011-12 with the Toros, Dawson averaged 16.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in 29 minutes per game. Because of his time in the Spurs organization, Ferry and Budenholzer have a great deal of knowledge about Dawson’s game; however, Dawson’s road to a roster spot will be difficult especially with the number of established big men already signed by the Hawks.

Wilkins, a 6’6″ small forward, is a nine-year veteran who has played for the Seattle Supersonics/Oklahoma City Thunder, Timberwolves, Hawks, Pistons, and 76ers. The nephew of Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins, Damien has carved out a niche in the NBA as a solid role player that provides defensive intensity and length on the wing. For his career Wilkins has averaged 6.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in 19.3 minutes per game. Damien will be looking to find a roster spot as the third small forward on the roster behind Kyle Korver and DeMarre Carroll.

Ivey, a 6’3″ point guard, is, like Wilkins, a nine-year NBA veteran that has played for the Hawks, Bucks, 76ers, and Thunder. Ivey will have to battle with Shelvin Mack for the third point guard spot behind Jeff Teague and Dennis Schröder. Ivey brings a veteran presence to training camp and will help push the point guard competition.

Atlanta will open training camp on Oct. 1 at the University of Georgia in Athens where they will hold the first three days of preseason workouts.